Twelve elderly couples from the same extended family gathered in Vietnam's Lang Son Province for a joint celebration of their silver and golden wedding anniversaries, surrounded by nearly 100 children and grandchildren.
October 18 was a particularly special day for the family of Trinh Thi Thanh Thanh in Huu Lung Commune, Lang Son Province, northern Vietnam.
Twelve elderly couples celebrated their wedding anniversaries together at the family's ancestral home, with nearly 100 children and grandchildren helping organize the occasion.
Thanh, who married into the family six years ago, said her husband is Bui Van Hieu and her father-in-law is 65-year-old Bui Van Hoa.
Hoa is the sixth of 12 siblings, seven brothers and five sisters, named Tuyet, Ngoc, Nga, Thanh, Nga, Hoa, Binh, Thang, Loi, Loc, Them and Mui.
The 12 couples celebrate their wedding anniversaries at a special family gathering ahead of Vietnamese Women's Day on October 20.
Their parents passed away many years ago. All 12 siblings are married, have children and grandchildren, and now live in their own homes.
The house where their parents once lived has been renovated into an ancestral home, where descendants gather for death anniversaries, traditional holidays, Tet and other important family occasions.
Decades ago, all 12 siblings held their weddings in this very house. Now, the same home has once again brought them together, this time to celebrate the marriages that have lasted through the years.
"The younger generations came up with the idea about a week beforehand and discussed the arrangements in our family group chat," Thanh recalled.
"At first, my father-in-law and his brothers and sisters were worried that relatives living far away wouldn't be able to return in time. But we decided to go ahead, both to celebrate the 12 couples' wedding anniversaries and to honor the women in our family on Vietnamese Women's Day, October 20."
The 12 siblings whose marriages were celebrated together at the family's ancestral home.
The children and grandchildren worked together to prepare the entire celebration.
From printing the backdrop and decorating the stage to cooking the banquet, everything was done by family members rather than hired event organizers.
For the 12 elderly couples, the family agreed on a dress code: the men would wear light-colored shirts and formal trousers, while the women would dress in traditional Vietnamese ao dai.
The younger generations were free to choose their own outfits.
When the celebration took place on October 18, 2026, Thanh was delighted to see that all 12 couples had arrived, along with relatives who had traveled from far away to attend.
Their presence filled the ancestral home with laughter, conversation and excitement.
The family's eldest son opened the ceremony with a speech highlighting the important role women play in nurturing and holding families together.
The husbands present flowers to their wives during the anniversary celebration.
"He reminded the younger generations that wherever they go and whatever they do, they must always remember their parents and family, because those are their roots," Thanh said.
"His wife then read a poem for the children and grandchildren, reminding everyone of the importance of filial piety and patience. Every piece of advice they shared was deeply meaningful."
The highlight of the celebration came when all 12 couples stepped onto the stage together.
The husbands presented flowers to their wives before the couples poured wine and cut a cake to mark the occasion.
"Seeing all 12 couples standing side by side, healthy, happy and enjoying the moment together, was incredibly moving for the younger generations," Thanh said.
"Some were celebrating their golden wedding anniversaries, marking 50 years of marriage, while others were celebrating their silver anniversaries after 25 years together. Having everyone here, together and in good health, is something truly precious."
Thanh could see the happiness on the faces of her parents-in-law and their siblings. Some family members quietly wiped away tears as emotions ran high.
The experience made her appreciate the gathering even more.
The celebration is filled with laughter and emotional moments, with some family members moved to tears.
Thanh, dressed in black, poses with her husband's extended family.
Having been part of the family for six years, Thanh said she has always admired the close bonds among her husband's relatives.
Every year, during death anniversaries, Tet and other holidays, the extended family returns to the ancestral home to share meals, catch up and spend time together.
Even those working or living far away make an effort to return and enjoy the warmth of being surrounded by family.
"Our generation always remembers the lesson that unity is the foundation of everything," Thanh said. "We watch how our grandparents, parents, aunts and uncles treat one another, and we try to follow their example."
Vietnamnet.vn
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